Lobbyist warns council several state bills could reduce city revenue and authority

Gil Romero of Capital Success Group briefed Pueblo City Council on multiple state bills and a forthcoming state budget synopsis the firm will deliver to the city. Romero said his team is tracking several measures that could affect municipal finances and local authority.

Romero flagged a proposal to reduce the portion of the state marijuana tax that flows to cities from 10% to 5%; he said the firm is actively advocating to keep the city share at 10%. He also provided status updates on several bills by the identifiers used in his briefing: House Bill 1147 (senate hearing scheduled March 31), noting concerns about home-rule impacts and a possible amendment by Senator Roberts to exempt a city in that senator’s district; a measure Romero referred to verbally as the 'Cell Bill' (he referenced Central 62) that was on second reading in the House and likely to face robust debate; House Bill 1206 (laid over for action); House Bill 1276 (Municipal League FTA bond bill), which Romero said was at risk because a swing legislator might not support it; and House Bill 1214, described as addressing prison-bed use and presumptive parole provisions.

Romero urged the council to consider letters or pressure on the governor’s office regarding Senate Bill 62, which he warned could reduce home-rule authority for some municipalities and rural cities. He said the firm will provide a budget preview and follow up with more detailed reports and recommendations for council consideration after committee action.